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This 2018 Year in Review from Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell summarizes key developments in airport law, including the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act, which addressed airport funding, noise, and hazardous chemicals in firefighting foams. The digest also covers major federal court decisions on topics such as drone regulations, airport noise challenges, and NextGen/Metroplex flight pattern disputes. It serves as a reference for airport legal professionals navigating the evolving regulatory and litigation landscape heading into 2019.

A federal appeals court denied petitions challenging the FAA's 2016 SoCal Metroplex project, which redesigned flight paths at several Southern California airports to improve air-traffic efficiency. Residents and local groups argued the FAA failed to adequately study increased noise, air emissions, and cumulative environmental impacts under federal law, but the court found the FAA's environmental analysis was reasonable and legally sound. The court upheld the FAA's Finding of No Significant Impact, concluding the agency had taken the required 'hard look' at environmental consequences before implementing the new flight routes.

The Port of Seattle and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) held public scoping meetings as part of the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Near-Term Projects environmental review, drawing over 300 attendees and more than 750 written comments. Notices for the meetings were distributed through mail, media releases, social media, advertisements, and legal affidavits. Following the scoping period, the agencies planned to brief the Port of Seattle Commission in early 2019 and release a full draft environmental review for public comment in Fall 2019.

In September 2018, the cities of SeaTac, Burien, Normandy Park, and Des Moines jointly submitted scoping comments on the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, raising concerns about the growing impacts of airport expansion on their communities. The cities argued that the environmental review must cover the entire SAMP—not just near-term construction projects—to fully account for cumulative impacts including increased aircraft noise, air emissions, and traffic congestion in nearby residential neighborhoods. They also called for a baseline assessment stretching back to 2012 to capture significant growth that has already occurred without adequate environmental review.

A Beacon Hill resident submitted scoping comments in September 2018 regarding the Sea-Tac Airport expansion, raising concerns about air quality, airplane emissions, noise impacts on children's health, traffic congestion, and environmental justice for communities of color. The commenter requested studies on health effects for nearby residents, better public outreach to non-English-speaking communities, and neighborhood noise monitoring equipment. She also expressed frustration about cost overruns on existing airport projects and the limited accessibility of the public open house held at New Holly.

In September 2018, the cities of SeaTac, Burien, Normandy Park, and Des Moines submitted joint scoping comments urging the Port of Seattle to broaden its environmental review of the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) beyond just near-term construction projects. The cities argued that cumulative impacts — including a projected 60% increase in aircraft operations and 75% rise in passengers by 2034 — require a full analysis of noise, air quality, and traffic effects on nearby communities. They also called for a baseline period starting in 2012, rather than 2018, to capture the significant growth and airspace changes that have already occurred without adequate environmental review.

The City of SeaTac submitted formal scoping comments to the Port of Seattle in September 2018, raising concerns that the environmental review for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) was too narrowly focused on 'near term projects' and should be expanded to cover the airport's full long-term growth vision. The city also reminded the Port of binding commitments made in a 2018 Interlocal Agreement and a 2015 Letter of Understanding, including promises to assess transportation impacts, protect nearby wetlands, and mitigate effects on city streets from increased cargo truck and passenger traffic. Key issues flagged include the impact of new cargo facilities, a proposed employee parking lot near wetlands, and the need to account for public transit use by airport workers and travelers.